Adilabad: Women, who utilized the free rides on state-run TSRTC buses on Saturday, were overwhelmed across the erstwhile Adilabad district.
On the first day of the scheme, the RTC staff allowed women passengers to travel in buses for free without any identity cards. Bus stands witnessed a huge rush of women passengers afternoon post the launch of the Maha Lakshmi scheme, which provides free travel for girls, women and transpersons of all age groups in intra-state ordinary and express buses. Many women said that they utilize the scheme by the state government with responsibility.
Many women of middle and below-middle class families said that they were relieved from bearing huge bus fares which were hiked by the BRS government and now they could use the money saved on travel expenses for other purposes.
Some women who were not charged for their return journey in buses after 2.30 pm, expressed happiness over the implementation of the scheme promised by the Congress right after forming its government.
The district RTC officials decorated the buses to mark the launch of the scheme and took measures for the hassle-free transportation of elderly women.
Rathod Savitri Bai of Harkapur of Utnoor mandal said that she used to face difficulty in paying charges for travelling in RTC buses but now she was relieved from that pressure with the free travel benefit.
Sheik Palsumbhi of Thosham of Gudihatnoor mandal opined that the move would certainly empower women in various aspects.
Adilabad depot manager Kalpana said there was a good response to the free travel facility from women in the district.
Akshaya, an Intermediate student of Bhoraj of Adilabad mandal, said that the facility would be more helpful to rural students studying in towns for commuting confidently without worrying about money to reach their homes safely.
